About
About
Background
Background
The Upper Wharfedale Community Bus working group was formed in July 2015, in response to proposals by the (then) North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) to reduce the subsidy for bus services across the county from April 2016, as a consequence of government cuts. This proposal, which was approved by NYCC councillors on December 8th 2016, led to the discontinuation of the Pride of the Dales 72 service north of Grassington.
The Upper Wharfedale Community Bus working group was formed in July 2015, in response to proposals by the (then) North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) to reduce the subsidy for bus services across the county from April 2016, as a consequence of government cuts. This proposal, which was approved by NYCC councillors on December 8th 2016, led to the discontinuation of the Pride of the Dales 72 service north of Grassington.
The working group, working with the support of Buckden and Kettlewell with Starbotton Parish Councils, established the following objectives for a transport systems for the Upper Dale:
The working group, working with the support of Buckden and Kettlewell with Starbotton Parish Councils, established the following objectives for a transport systems for the Upper Dale:
- Reduce social exclusion & isolation – especially the elderly & young people
- Improve the independence & quality of life of residents
- Support a sustainable local economy
- Increase opportunities for tourism & business
- Enable access to and from employment
- Reduce carbon footprint
In September 2015, the group submitted a bid to provide a scheduled community local bus service between Buckden and Grassington, which would meet these objectives. In December 2015, the group were advised that the bid had been successful. The contract with NYC has been renewed several times, most recently in April 2024.
In September 2015, the group submitted a bid to provide a scheduled community local bus service between Buckden and Grassington, which would meet these objectives. In December 2015, the group were advised that the bid had been successful. The contract with NYC has been renewed several times, most recently in April 2024.
The Company
The Company
In December 2015, the group formed a new community interest company limited by guarantee to run the service: Upper Wharfedale Bus CIC. The founding directors of the company were the members of the original working group. The bus is based in Buckden at the northern end of the route, and there is a mix of volunteer and paid staff.
In December 2015, the group formed a new community interest company limited by guarantee to run the service: Upper Wharfedale Bus CIC. The founding directors of the company were the members of the original working group. The bus is based in Buckden at the northern end of the route, and there is a mix of volunteer and paid staff.
The Service
The Service
The Upper Wharfedale Venturer runs three times per day in each direction on school days (when it is supplemented by an NYCC provided service) and five times per day on Saturdays and during school holidays. Buses are timed to connect with Keighley Bus Company services to Skipton and beyond. From the end of October 2018 the route was extended to Hebden on some services.
The Upper Wharfedale Venturer runs three times per day in each direction on school days (when it is supplemented by an NYCC provided service) and five times per day on Saturdays and during school holidays. Buses are timed to connect with Keighley Bus Company services to Skipton and beyond. From the end of October 2018 the route was extended to Hebden on some services.
The Team
The Team
The service operates six days a week all year round excluding bank holidays. To ensure we can always run the bus, we have a brilliant team of 16 drivers: 4 paid, part-time, regular drivers who each cover specific shifts, and 12 volunteers who fill in the gaps in the rota and cover holidays, sickness etc. The task of planning the rota falls to Pam - our super-efficient administrator - who plays a pivotal role in the smooth running of the service. The company is managed by our four volunteer directors, all of whom have been involved in the business since we started in 2015.
The service operates six days a week all year round excluding bank holidays. To ensure we can always run the bus, we have a brilliant team of 16 drivers: 4 paid, part-time, regular drivers who each cover specific shifts, and 12 volunteers who fill in the gaps in the rota and cover holidays, sickness etc. The task of planning the rota falls to Pam - our super-efficient administrator - who plays a pivotal role in the smooth running of the service. The company is managed by our four volunteer directors, all of whom have been involved in the business since we started in 2015.